This review showcases the Thermalright Ultima 90 775 cpu heatsink that has won rave reviews on "the net" I decided to buy and install one as part of my upgrade path that will eventually lead to an overclocked quad gaming system. As part of the package I also purchased a Scythe S-FlexSFF21E 120mm fan to use in conjunction with the Ultima 90.

Then using core temp I recorded the processor temperatures while folding with the Windows SMP client...... (the numbers are hard to read but they are 68C 67C 69C 69C)

and then added four instances of the Orthos utility to drive temperatures up.(73C 71C 73C 71C)

Once I had established those numbers I began the install of the Ultima-90.

I removed the motherboard to facilitate the install of the strengthening backplate,and, as you can see by my photo, I had good coverage on the stock Intel heatsink with thermal compound.

I installed the 775 back plate,

the 775 upper side plates,

and installed new heatsink and fan using Arctic Silver 5 thermal compound.

Once that was all done I put the unit back together (also did some cable management that I was putting off) and fired it up.
I then compared the new readings with the same parameters that I had initially used.

Well it is clear that there is an overall temperature drop, even inside the case! This, of course is partly due to the orientation of the heatsink fan which blows directly onto the exhaust fan at the rear of the case. The graph comparing the two coolers tells the tale:

Based on a temperature drop that averages 18.75C while folding and 17C while folding and running Orthos, I would say this is a very effective cooler and I rate it "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!"
Next step.. install a 8800GT video card (if it ever gets here), upgrade mobo and get overclocking!

(My apologies for any poor quality graphics and any blatant format copying, I will get better as I learn how to use this website.)